Michael Waltrip Racing

Michael Waltrip Racing news, rumors and injuries

Michael Waltrip Racing driver Brian Vickers posted a runner-up finish at the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway Sunday, July 6. He was frustrated that NASCAR made the call to end the rain-shortened race. "Knowing that we weren't even supposed to start the race last night until 7 p.m., I was shocked that we called it at 2-something in the afternoon," Vickers said. "I know a lot of fans turned into the TV and stuck around at the racetrack waiting to see a finish, and I was expecting them to wait a little bit longer knowing that we have lights here and it was going to be a night race anyway."

Fantasy Tip: Despite his disappointment with the call of the race, he still turned in his third Top 5 of the season, and best result of the year. He is now 16th in the overall points standings, and has re-emerged as a solid fantasy option at most tracks.

Michael Waltrip Racing will have driver Jeff Burton running a limited schedule. He will drive for a test Tuesday, May 27, at Pocono Raceway, and his first Sprint Cup Series event in an MWR car will be June 15 at the Michigan International Speedway. Burton has already made one start this season for MWR, and he placed 17th in that event in March back at Las Vegas. "I've really enjoyed the situation I'm in, I really have. When (NBC executive producer) Sam Flood and I first sat down and talked, one of the things that he was me was, 'Are you going to be ready to do this?' I told him I was, and I thought I was, but to be absolutely honest, how do you really know? It's all I've ever done, and it's been such a huge part of my life," Burton said.

Fantasy Tip: Burton will be a nice play for savvy fantasy owners in pools which allow limited starts for drivers. Since Burton is running a limited schedule, there is no worry about exceeding his starts. He is a sleeper at Michigan, and a guy you need to remember when the circuit stops in the Irish Hills.

Fantasy Tip: While Bowyer has never won at Kansas, he has an Average Finish of 13.2, eighth among all active drivers with at least two starts at the track. Bowyer is a must-start fantasy option in all formats this weekend.

Fantasy Tip: Waltrip will be a low-end fantasy option, but he has shown well in restrictor-plate stops in the past. If you're in a salary cap format, you could certainly do worse for your final roster slot.

Michael Waltrip Racing driver Brian Vickers (calf) is no longer using blood thinners and plans to race in a full Sprint Cup schedule in 2014, starting with the Daytona 500. He missed the final five races last season after a blood clot was discovered in his right calf in October. He missed the final 25 races in 2015 because of blood clots and heart surgery. Vickers must be medically cleared before returning to racing. Aaron's will be the full-time sponsor for Vickers' No. 55 Toyota all season.

Michael Waltrip Racing announced Thursday, Oct. 17, that driver Elliott Sadler will fill in in the No. 55 Toyota in each of the final four Sprint Cup Series races this season, starting next weekend at Martinsville Speedway. Owner Michael Waltrip will drive this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway. Driver Brian Vickers (calf) will miss the rest of the season with a blood clot in his right calf.

Michael Waltrip Racing driver Brian Vickers (calf) will miss the rest of the Sprint Cup season due to a blood clot in his right calf. He was put on blood-thinning medication that will keep him from racing. Vickers also missed the final 25 races in 2010 with blood clots that required surgery. "If there's anything to be positive about with today's news it's that this is only a temporary setback," Vickers said. "The timing for this is never good, but I'm glad we'll get it out of the way now and be ready to run for a championship with the Aaron's Dream Machine in 2014."

Michael Waltrip Racing driver Mark Martin said he doesn't expect to drive the team's No. 55 car in the Sprint Cup Series in 2014. "I don't expect to be in it (in 2014)," Martin said. "That's not my goal. My goal is to see … the 55 car race for the championship driver-wise." Co-owner Michael Waltrip will drive the car in three races this year while driver Brian Vickers will be in it for nine. Vickers has talked about a full-time ride with the team in 2014, and it may be in the No. 55 car. However, Martin isn't saying that he's ready to retire just yet.